Prefabricated window finishing and framing member



March 8, 1966 R. E. cAPocclA PREFABRICATED WINDOW FINISHING AND FRAMING MEMBER Filed Aug. 13, 1963 INVENTOR. ROGER E. CAPOCCIA BY MAHONEY, MILLER 8 RAMBO A TORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,238,679 PREFABRIATED WINDOW FINISHING AND FRAMING MEMBER Roger E. Capoccia, 1218 Norman Drive, Columbus 27, Ohio Filed Aug. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 301,781 Claims. o1. 52-213 This invention relates, in general, to a trim member for openings ina wall of a building structure. It relates, more specifically, to a novel, prefabricated trim member for a wall opening incorporating a plastering bead and a sealing web for contacting a closure structure positioned in the opening and forming a finished juncture and seal therewith.

In the construction of buildings of conventional form having a number of openings formed in the walls for windows and doors, it is necessary to provide a trim about the openings which heretofore has consisted of either plaster or fabricated wood or metal structures. Where plaster is utilized for this purpose, a metal bead strip must be attached to the corners of the opening adjacent the inner wall surface of the building to provide a smooth juncture for the adjoining plaster surfaces. Application of plaster to the opening surfaces intermediate the interior and exterior wall sheathings is a diflicult operation due to the limited space and thus requires a highly skilled workman. It is also necessary to provide some means of sealing the windows to the walls of the building at their adjoining edges. Effectively sealing the window and wall while simultaneously forming a smooth joint with the plastered surface is extremely diflicult and is an uneconomical, time-consuming operation when utilizing a plaster trim in accordance with prior practice. Utilization of fabricated wood or metal structures at a window opening, while providing a suitable finished appearance, is also relatively costly as the structures require a considerable amount of labor in their fabrication.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide a trim member for wall openings in a building structure which may be prefabricated for convenient, economic installation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a trim member for wall openings in a building structure which provides a finished facing for the opening and a sealing web for engaging a window or other closure structure positioned in the opening and forming a seal therewith,

It is a further object of this invention to provide a trim member for wall openings in a building structure which provides a finished facing for the opening and a plastering bead at the juncture of the opening surface and adjoining wall area.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a trim member for wall openings in a building structure which provides a finished facing for the opening surface and a resilient, flexible seal with a window or other closure structure positioned in the opening and forms a finished juncture therewith.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a prefabricated trim member for Wall openings in a building structure which may be readily and economically fabricated as an extruded plastic material having a plastersimulating appearance.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof and the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is an interior elevational view of a building wall having a window opening provided with trim members formed in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of the lower left corner of the window opening showing the application of a plaster wall finish in conjunction with the trim members of this invention.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a corner clip for concealing the juncture of two abutting trim members.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a trim member.

Having reference to the drawing, the application and utilization of the trim member of this invention is illustrated in conjunction with a window opening formed in the Wall of a typical building structure. A wall of conventional wood frame construction is shown although it is to be understood that the trim members may also be applied to other conventional wall constructions. The window opening is formed in the wall and includes a vertically disposed, rigid framing member or stud 10 at each side of the opening. The opening is also provided with the usual horizontally disposed rigid framing members at the top and bottom of the opening (not shown) and which are rigidly connected to the studs 10. Attached to the exterior of the wall framing members is a sub-sheathing 11 which may be of the insulating wallboard type, if desired, and forms a smooth, substantially weathertight backing for the exterior siding materials. An interior wallboard, drywall, or sub-sheathing 12 is applied to the interior of the wall framing members thus providing a base to which may be applied a plaster finish 13 of the usual form or, in the case of drywall, a plaster-like material known as spackling.

A window 14 is disposed in the opening and supported in fixed relationship thereto by fastening a rigid peripheral frame 15 thereof to the studs 10 and horizontal frame members. The window 14 illustrated is of the fixed or non-opening type in which the several lights 16 are supported by the frame 15. Other types of window structures may also be installed provided such structures in clude a rigid, peripheral frame. The peripheral frame 15 includes a laterally-projecting flange 17 adapted to overlie the exterior sub-sheathing 11 and the window opening framing members in a manner similar to the stud 10. Nails 18 may be driven through the flange 17 and the underlying marginal edge portion of the subshe'athing 11 into the studs 10 and other framing members to rigidly fasten the window in position.

The window 14 does not occupy the entire space within the opening leaving portions of the window opening framing members exposed. In accordance with this invention, a trim member 20 is provided which is applied to the opening to finish the appearance of the opening between the window and the interior sheathing 12 and associated plaster finish 13. The trim member 20 also provides a plastering head at the interior edge of the window opening as well as provides a weather seal in cooperation with the window 14.

The trim member 20 is formed in elongated strips which are cut to the desired length and secured to the respective frame members of window opening. Each formed with a plaster simulating surface appearance to further economize in the building construction.

Formed with the facing web 21 along one longitudinal marginal edge portion thereof is the nailing flange 22. The nailing flange 22 is substantially orthogonally disposed to the facing web 21 and projects a distance sufficient to overlie the interior sub-sheathing 12 and stud or other wall framing member. The thickness of the nailing flange 22 is substantially less than that of the plaster finish 13 to be applied to the interior wall surface to permit coverage of the nailing flange with plaster, also. A plastering bead 24 is formed at the juncture of the facing web '21 and the nailing flange 22 to provide a customary termination for the plaster finish 13. The plastering bead 24 is an extension of the facing web 21 and projects a distance from the surface of the nailing flange substantially equal to the thickness of the plaster finish 13 to be applied to the nailing flange. A multiplicity of apertures 25 are formed in the nailing flange 22 facilitating adhesion of the plaster to the nailing flange and to provide spaces through which suitable fastening means, nails 26, for example, may extend into the interior sub-sheathing 2 and the underlying stud 10 or other wall framing member. In the present embodiment, a double row of apertures 25 are formed in the nailing flange with the apertures in the rows longitudinally staggered.

Formed with the facing web 21 along the opposite longi tudinal edge 21a is the sealing web 23. The sealing web 23 is an elongated, planar body having spaced parallel, longitudinal edge portions 27 and 28. The sealing web 23 is joined to the facing web 21 by a resiliently flexible web portion 29 which is of an arcuately curved channelshape and integrally formed with the facing web and the sealing web and interconnecting their adjacent longitudinal edge portions 21a and 27, respectively. The channel formed by the flexible web portion 29 is open to the exposed surfaces of the facing web 21 and the sealing web 23 with the opening being restricted or of a width slightly less than the width of the interior of the channel for purposes which shall be subsequently explained in detail. To provide the necessary flexibility of the sealing web 23 relative to the facing web 21, the flexible web portion 29 is formed with a substantially reduced crosssectional area relative to the sealing web and facing web, as is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Thus, the Web 23 may be flexed about the facing web edge portion 21a with distortion occurring only in the flexible web portion 29. In the present embodiment, the sealing web 23 is normally disposed at an angle relative to the facing web 21 with the webs being spaced apart a distance laterally. With this configuration, as indicated in FIG. 2, only the edge portion 28 of the sealing web which is furtherest from the facing web 21 engages the window frame and forms a seal therewith. Maintenance of a sealing contact between the window frame 15 and the sealing web 23 is assured through the inherent resiliency of the material from which the trim member 24 is formed and, in particular, that of the flexible web portion 29.

Application or utilization of the trim member of this invention is a relatively simple operation requiring only that a trim member be cut to a length to fit the particular window opening and nailed in position. Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that each trim member is substantially equal in length to the portion of the respective wall framing member forming the opening and to which it will be attached. Attachment of a trim member to a wall framing member is typified in FIG. 2 which illustrates the vertical stud '10 supporting a trim member. The trim member 20, after being first cut to length, is positioned in the window opening with the facing web 21 parallel to the stud 10. The nailing flange 22 will thus overlie the interior wall sub-sheathing 12. Since the flexible web portion 29 also projects a distance from the rear surface of the facing web 21, the facing web must be supported and maintained in fixed, spaced relationship to the vertical stud 10. This is readily accomplished by positioning a flat sheet of wall'board cut to an appropriate size and shape as a spacer block 30 between the trim member 20' and stud 10 as indicated in FIG. 2. The spacer block 30 is rigidly attached to the stud 10 by suitable fastening means as by nails 31, for example. After thus positioning the trim member 20, nails 26 are driven through some of the apertures 25 and underlying subsheathing 12 into the stud 10. The sealing web 23 will project toward the window 14 with the longitudinal edge 28 contacting a surface of the frame 15. For this purpose, the window frame 15 is constructed with a surface which will'be disposed in spaced parallel relationship to an opposed surface of the stud 10 when the window is positioned in the window opening. Other portions of the window frame 15 that also cooperatively engage the sealing web 23 of the respective trim member are similarly formed with a surface spaced from the associated wall framing member.

The maximum desired spacing between the opposed surfaces of the frame 15 and the stud 10 is such that the sealing web 23 will be engaged by the frame and distorted from its normal position through the flexible web portion 29. Continued contact of the sealing web 23 with the frame 15 will thus be maintained by the resiliency of the flexible web portion 29 providing a finished appearance at their juncture. Should the relative spacing between the frame 15 and the opposed surface of the stud 10 or other framing member be less than the indicated maximum allowable, as will often be the case, the juncture between the frame and the sealing web 23 will continue to present a finished appearance. In this instance, the sealing web 23 will be flexed further but will remain in engagement with the frame 15. The particular mode of contact between the window frame 15 and sealing web 23 may vary considerably depending on the relative positioning of the window frame and the framing members. For example, there may be an engagement of surfaces where the sealing web 23 is flexed to a position parallel to the opposed surface of the window frame 15 or the interior corner only of the window frame may contact the surface of the sealing web. A finished appearance will thus result irrespective of any misalignment that may exist between the window frame and the framing members. Not only will variations occurring in the relative spacing of the window be readily accommodated but variations in alignment of the window with respect to the plane of the window opening or the wall will also be accommodated. The width of the sealing with 23 accommodates the latter type of misalignment.

The remaining trim members are applied to the window in a similar manner. In the drawing, a trim member is also applied to the bottom horizontal framing member of the window opening to form a sill although, as in the usual building constructions, a marble or wood sill may be provided. For an installation utilizing a marble or wood sill, the illustrated construction would be modified to accommodate a sill of this type with the lower ends of each vertical trim member abutting the upper surface of the sill.

Upon completion of the installation of the trim members 2f the plaster finish 13 may be applied to the interior sub-sheating 12. The plaster is run over the nailing flange 22 terminating at the plastering bead 24. As will be noted in the drawing, the trim members 20 form a continuation of the plaster finish 13 and provide the finish construction for the window opening. If desired, trim members may also be painted similar to the plaster finish 13 to complete the interior decoration.

The irregular structure of the trim member at the juncture of facing web 21 and the sealing web 23 makes cutting of the trim to the desired length, at best, a difiicult operation. To obviate the unsightly appearance which may result at the juncture of two abutting trim members, there is provided a corner clip 32 which conceals the marginal end portions of the sealing webs 23 and the flexible web portions 29. Referring to FIG. 4, the clip 32 comprises a right angle member formed with orthogonally disposed flanges 33 and 34. Extending along one edge of the flange 33 and integrally formed therewith is an enlarged cylindrical section or head 35. The bead 35 is shaped similar to the channel-form cross-sectional shape of the flexible web portion 29 and is of a diameter greater than the width of the restricted opening to the interior thereof but capable of being pressed or otherwise forced into the channel-form interior. However, the interrelationship of the bead 35 and the flexible web portion 29 is such that relative longitudinal movement between the two components will not be unduly restricted and the sealing web 23 will continue to engage the window frame 15. Any suitable material may be utilized in the fabrication of the clips 32, such as a thermosetting synthetic resin for example, which will form a rigid structure.

The cilps 32 are installed after the trim members have been mounted in the window opening as previously described. Installation is a simple operation requiring only that the clips 32 be positioned adjacent their respective comers and the beads pressed or forced into the channel-form interiors of their respective flexible web portions 29 until seated therein. The flexible web portion 29 will readily distort to permit entrance of the bead 35 through the restricted opening. When thus installed, the flanges 34 of the clips will extend over the surface of the sealing webs 23 terminating adjacent the window frame 15. Preferably, the flanges 33 and 34 are appropriately proportioned relative to the sealing web 23 and flexible web portion 29 so as to closely interfit therewith providing a neat appearance.

The construction and application of the novel trim member of this invention has been clearly explained in detail in conjunction with a window opening in a typical wall construction and it is readily apparent that the trim member may be utilized with other types of Wall construction. Also, the trim members may be utilized in finishing other openings that may be formed in a building wall which are provided with closure structures having rigid peripheral frames.

It is readily apparent that the trim member of this invention provides a conveniently installed facing for finishing the exposed surfaces of an opening in the wall of a building construction. The trim member eliminates the costly operation of plastering or otherwise finishing the exposed surfaces of a wall opening thereby effecting further economy of building construction. Formation of a sealing web with the trim member advantageously provides a weather seal with the closure member of the opening as well as a finished appearance. Utilization of the trim member eliminates costly fabrication and installation operations heretofore required in the construction of buildings.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles of this invention have been explained and have been illustrated and described in what is now considered to represent the best embodiment. However, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is:

1. A trim member for an opening in a wall having vertical and horizontal framing members adapted to receive a rigidly framed closure structure therein in fixed relationship comprising an elongated, flat-surfaced facing web, a nailing flange formed along a longitudinal edge of said facing web with a plastering bead formed at the juncture thereof, said nailing flange extending laterally from said facing web and adapted to overlie a plaster-receiving surface of a wall, and a planar sealing web extending longitudinally of said facing web along the edge thereof opposite to said nailing flange adapted to engage a surface of the closure structure, said sealing web being attached to said facing web by an intermediate resilient flexible web portion permitting flexing movement of said sealing web about the longitudinal edge of said facing web.

2. A trim member according to claim 1 wherein said resilient flexible web portion is of elongated channel-form integrally formed with said facing web and said sealing web along the respective longitudinal edges thereof.

3. A trim member according to claim 2 wherein said flexible web portion is formed with a wall thickness substantially less than the thickness of said facing web.

4. In combination; a trim member for a wall opening provided with circumscribing rigid framing members and adapted to receive therein in fixed relationship a rigidly framed closure structure comprising an elongated, planar facing web adapted to be disposed in the wall opening adjacent a framing member thereof, a nailing flange formed along and coextensive with a longitudinal marginal edge portion of said facing web, said nailing flange projecting a distance laterally from said facing web to overlie a plaster-receiving surface of the wall and being rigidly attachable thereto by fastening means, a plaster ing bead formed along the longitudinal edge of said facing web and which projects a distance from the juncture therewith of said nailing flange, an elongated, planar sealing web extending longitudinally relative to said facing web adjacent an opposite longitudinal edge thereof for engaging a surface of the closure structure, and a resilient flexible web portion coextensive with said facing web and said sealing web and connected to the adjacent edges thereof permitting flexing movement of said sealing web about the longitudinal edge of said facing web; and a clip member engaged with two adjacently disposed, abutting trim members for concealing exposed marginal end portions of said sealing web and said flexible web portion.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said flexible web portion is of arcuately-curved channel form having a restricted opening and said clip member is formed with a pair of elongated, angularly disposed flanges having an enlarged bead formed along a longitudinal edge of one of said flanges, said bead being adapted to be received within the channel of said flexible web portion in interlocking relationship through the restricted opening thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,994,976 3/1935 \Vread 52--213 2,395,673 2/ 1946 Krantz l8976 2,454,523 11/ 1948 Philip 52255 2,581,750 l/l952 Bursik 189-36 RICHARD W. COOKE, IR., Primary Examiner.

J. L. RIDGILL, Assistant Examiner. 

4. IN COMBINATION, A TRIM MEMBER FOR A WALL OPENING PROVIDED WITH CIRCUMSCRIBING RIGID FRAMING MEMBERS AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THEREIN IN FIXED RELATIONSHIP A RIGIDLY FRAMED CLOSURE STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED, PLANAR FACING WEB ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED IN THE WALL OPENING ADJACENT A FRAMING MEMBER THEREOF, A NAILING FLANGE FORMED ALONG AND COEXTENSIVE WITH A LONGITUDINAL MARGINAL EDGE PORTION OF SAID FACING WEB, SAID NAILING FLANGE PROJECTING A DISTANCE LATERALLY FROM SAID FACING WEB TO OVERLIE A PLASTER-RECEIVING SURFACE OF THE WALL AND BEING RIGIDLY ATTACHABLE THERETO BY FASTENING MEANS, A PLASTERING BEAD FORMED ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF SAID FACING WEB AND WHICH PROJECTS A DISTANCE FORM THE JUNCTURE THEREWITH OF SAID NAILING FLANGE, AN ELONGATED, PLANAR SEALING WEB EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY RELATIVE TO SAID FACING WEB ADJACENT AN OPPOSITE LONGITUDINAL EDGE THEREOF FOR ENGAGING A SURFACE OF THE CLOSURE STRUCTURE, AND A RESILIENT FLEXIBLE WEB PORTION COEXTENSIVE WITH SAID FACING WEB AND SAID SEALING WEB AND CONNECTED TO THE ADJACENT EDGES THEREOF PERMITTING FLEXING MOVEMENT OF SAID SEALING WEB ABOUT THE LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF SAID FACING WEB; AND A CLIP MEMBER ENGAGED WITH TWO ADJACENTLY DISPOSED, ABUTTING TRIM MEMBERS FOR CONCEALING EXPOSED MARGINAL END PORTIONS OF SAID SEALING WEB AND SAID FLEXIBLE WEB PORTION. 